In today's fast-paced world, staying in shape and maintaining a healthy body and mind is a universal desire. While many people aspire to lose weight, the effort required often leads to procrastination. The internet abounds with weight loss advice, from fad diets to fat reduction treatments, but the sustainability and effectiveness of these options are questionable. Quick weight loss plans may offer rapid results but are often unsustainable in the long run. A more effective approach involves incorporating natural ingredients and exercise into your routine for gradual and sustainable weight management. One such ingredient gaining popularity among fitness enthusiasts is Malabar Tamarind, also known as Kudampuli or Garcinia Cambogia.
What is Kudampuli?
Kudampuli, scientifically known as Garcinia Cambogia or Tamarindus indica, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asian countries, particularly prevalent in Kerala and Karnataka, India. Traditionally, kudampuli has been used in South Indian cuisine to impart a tangy flavor to pickles and curries. The fruit's rind is rich in phytochemicals, notably Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), which is believed to block fat production in the body.
Traditional Uses and Flavor Profile
This fruit is not eaten as a whole meal, but the cloves of this magical fruit are added to various dishes such as seafood, curries, and more to enhance the taste. Kudampuli cloves release a tangy flavor and a tad bit of smokey taste for creating a mouth-watering experience for all the eaters. Moreover, as per the opinion of various food experts, the Kudampuli have a muddy, fruity, and sour flavor when it is eaten raw as a fruit. However, when it is dried in the natural sunlight, it tastes highly sour, and an aftertaste of Jamun is left in the mouth. This fruit has some incredibly variant flavors. Therefore only a few cloves of this magical fruit is more than enough to create the tangy and smokey taste in your curries. Moreover, as per the master chef’s advice, cooking these cloves for somewhere around 8 to 10 minutes will surely bring that lip-smashing taste to your dishes.
Weight Loss Properties of Kudampuli
Kudampuli's effectiveness stems from its ability to suppress appetite and inhibit the formation of fat cells in the body, thus aiding in weight management. The presence of Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) in kudampuli plays a crucial role in blocking an enzyme called citrate lyase, which is responsible for the development of fat cells. Additionally, this tropical fruit extract is believed to elevate serotonin levels in the body, promoting feelings of happiness and inducing sleep.
How HCA aids weight loss
The claimed weight loss effects of Garcinia Cambogia are credited to the presence of a phytochemical called Hydroxycitric acid or HCA. Some studies have shown that the phytochemical has the ability to burn fat and suppress appetite. HCA works by blocking an enzyme called citrate lysase, which is used in the body to make fat. Moreover, it is also known to increase the release of the hormone serotonin in the brain, which makes you feel less hungry. A study published in the Journal of Obesity said that people who consumed Garcinia supplement were able to lose two pounds (about 0.90 Kg) more than people who didn't take the supplement, which is a very minor difference. This is why scientists have concluded that more research and study on Garcinia is required to ascertain its role in weight loss.
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Additional Health Benefits
Beyond weight loss, research suggests that kudampuli offers several other health benefits. It is considered beneficial for cardiovascular health, boosts energy levels, aids in detoxifying the body, and strengthens bones.
Detailed Health Benefits
Malabar tamarind is a gift of nature which has benefitted humans a lot without them realising it. The sourness in most dishes is attributed to the Malabar tamarind. Weight loss is not the only health benefit that the Malabar tamarind has. It can easily be termed as a 'superfood' due to the amazing health benefits that it offers other than weight loss.
- Reduces Inflammation: Kudampuli has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in reducing inflammation and protecting the stomach. It is highly beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel diseases. Adding 2 to 3 cloves of Kudampuli to your dishes for a significant period of time can help people to treat Gastric problems as well as inflammatory problems. With the continuous consumption of Kudampuli, various individuals are treating their Gastric ulcers. Majorly people who are suffering from Gastric ulcers use raw tamarind. However, Kudampuli is more effective in treating this complex disease.
- Decreasing Insulin levels Some studies have even shown the role of Garcinia Cambogia in lowering the levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides in the body.
- Helps in controlling blood sugar: Kudampuli has extraordinary anti diabetic properties. The Garcinia fruit helps to decrease blood sugar levels if it is continuously consumed for a significant period of time. Individuals consume this magically rare fruit by drying it in the natural sunlight to control their diabetes. Moreover, it can also be consumed as a precautionary measure.
- Boosts digestive process: Kudampuli is a wonderful medicine for every woman suffering from polyarthritis and inflammation of joint. Unlike other acidic agents, this one keeps you protected from such age-related health problems.
- Releases happy hormones: Moreover, this tropical fruit extract also helps in increasing the serotonin levels in the body, which further helps in releasing happy hormones and inducing sleep.
- Controls the cholesterol in the body: One other fantastic property that Kudampuli has is controlling the cholesterol balance in the body of an individual. The Hydroxycitric Acid and other various components of Kudampuli helps to balance the damaging cholesterol levels and increases the good cholesterol level. This magical fruit also helps in reducing the chances of heart attack, strokes, and atherosclerosis.
- Helps protect against stomach ulcers
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Boosts energy
- Detoxifies the body
- Strengthens the bones
- Helps in inducing sleep
How to Incorporate Kudampuli into Your Diet
To consume kudampuli for weight loss, prepare a drink by soaking the dried fruit in water. Drink this concoction 30 minutes before each meal.
Kudam puli or Malabar tamarind rind is usually sun dried and then smoked to a dark brown or black colour and is then used to prepare a drink, which is claimed to burn fat. Usually, to make the drink the rind is first washed and then soaked in some water for about 10 or 15 minutes. Then you can take some water in a stainless steel or clay pan and transfer the soaked kudam puli to it. Cook this for some time, until the water comes to a boil. Allow it to cool down and filter the drink into a jar. Consuming this drink 30 minutes before each meal, may help you lose weight faster.
Traditional Uses
There are different ways in which people cook and mix this spice with their respective dishes. Given below are some of the traditional ways of using this ingredient.
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- You can soak it in normal or warm water for few minutes and then add the water to your dish. It will provide a hint of sourness to your dish.
- You can also add the soaked spice in fish curries. It increases the sourness quotient of your favorite curry.
- Kudampuli can be added directly to the dish in dried form if you need punchy flavor in your dish.
Precautions and Side Effects
While Kudampuli offers numerous benefits, it's essential to be aware of potential side effects and take necessary precautions. The Kudampuli supplements are not advised for pregnant women at all. Kudampuli ingredient also has a low toxicity level. An individual must not consume too many cloves of kudampuli at the same time. An individual must be careful enough before taking the Kudampuli supplements.
Potential Side Effects
Though the Malabar tamarind is known to be effective in weight loss therapy, there are a few side effects that may be associated with it. Though the positives clearly outnumber the negatives, there are some important side effects that one must be aware of. The most common side effects may include any of the following:
- Liver damage
- Skin problems
- Digestive issues
- Headaches
It is highly recommended to consult a doctor before any amount of the tamarind is taken. Since it is a herbal supplement, it may cause side effects is combined with other supplements such as iron and calcium. Further, the Malabar tamarind is highly effective for diabetic patients which is why it must not be taken by diabetes patients who are already on diabetes medication. A similar caveat can be applied for cholesterol patients on medication who intake the tamarind for its additional health benefits. Pregnant or nursing ladies are also advised against taking the malabar tamarind.
Recommended Consumption
The important thing about Malabar tamarind, or any health supplement for that matter is not to overconsume it. Most dieticians recommend a quantity of 500 grams of Malabar Tamarind. This can be had up to three times a day. An important thing to note is the fact that the rind must be had before the meal and not after it. There should be a gap of at least 30-60 minutes before every meal that the Tamarind water is consumed.
Other Precautions
Do not use it continuously for a prolonged period of time. It may affect the functional cells of your testicle.Using in excess may lead to acidity problems by triggering the cells present in your stomach.Also, it may suppress your hunger in an abnormal way if you consume it in excess.
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